In the first round of the FIFA World Cup, there are groups of 4 teams, which play each other in order to qualify to the second round. It is generally said that if a team wins its two first matches, it is assured its qualification. Is this true?

Some notes for non-soccer fans... The two top teams (points-wise, or after tie-breaking rules are applied) in each group qualify for the next round. Each team plays the three others. A win gives three points; a draw, one, and a loss, zero.

As Old Original Oskar!, Joe and Robby Goetschackx have indicated, the primary reason why one team of four who
won its first two games may not advance is that two other teams also won two games.  The three teams would be ranked
using the following tie-breaking rules to which the two qualifiers would then be selected:

a) greatest number of points obtained in all group matches;
b) goal difference in all group matches;
c) greatest number of goals scored in all group matches.
d) greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned;
e) goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned;
f) greater number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams concerned;
g) drawing of lots by the Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup.

Posted by Dej Mar on 2006-07-24 12:47:13